In 1979 following success in a Garden Competition staged by the Murwillumbah Garden Club, local identities decided to form a Club in the Tweed District and the Tweed Heads Garden Club was formed. It was to be a meeting place to swap ideas and plants. A committee was formed and gatherings were held in the homes of these enthusiasts – numbers were few but enthusiasm was high!
In 1980 the Club decided to hold meetings on a monthly basis on Monday nights in the old CWA Hall in Bay Street Tweed Heads which was adequate at the time. As time went on improvement was needed and it was thought the Tweed Heads Civic Centre was the more appropriate meeting place. The Tweed Heads Garden Cluib had a name change to Twin Towns and District Garden Club Incorporated and a Constitution was drawn up and the Club became incorporated. Night time meetings were dispensed with which meant some hard-working members still in the work force were lost, but the Club gained a lot of retirees and shift workers as members. The Club met in the now named South Sea Islander Room at the Civic Centre which later became far too small to accommodate the increasing membership.
In 1984 the Club conducted their first Garden Competition and continued with this undertaking until the final competition in 1993. Tweed Shire Council took over the running of this garden competition with the help of many of our Club members. Their expertise after running a successful competition for eight years was invaluable. In recent years the Tweed Shire Council has restricted the competition to Schools only. A local real estate firm has recently been sponsoring a local garden competition.
In 1994 the Club hosted their first Flower Show now known as the Twin Towns & District Annual Flower & Garden Expo. This has grown over time and includes judging of flowers, floral art, produce and potted plants, photo competition, trading tables both of club members plants and outside vendors, morning tea and competitions. Over the years the Show has grown and developed as interests and members changed. The schedule has changed, the prizes have changed and the public awareness is always very encouraging as the EXPO is open to all who wish to enter.
The Club continues to grow and develop and are always looking for ways to improve and increase membership and public interest.